Interview with Festival Director Jacob Javor (South Florida Student Film Festival)

June 21, 2016June 21, 2016 festreviews Festival Interview, film festival reviews, FilmFreeway Review, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized festival director, festival interview, festival reviews, film festival review, interview, matthew toffolo wildsound, SFSFF, South Florida Student Film Festival

The South Florida Student Film Festival (SFSFF), open to middle and high school students world wide and taking place at Movies of Delray/Lake Worth, is an organization founded by students designed to bring about awareness concerning the art of student filmmaking. SFSFF shines a positive light upon Middle & High School students who love the beauty of motion pictures.

http://www.sfsff.org

Interview with Jacob Javor:

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Jacob Javor: As we are in our debut year, we only hope to help local young filmmakers get jumpstarts on their careers, by learning, creating, and meeting new people.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

JJ: At SFSFF, both filmmakers that submitted and attendees alike can expect a valuable experience in which you can learn more about your passion by speaking to industry professionals and conversing with your peers; all while having a great time watching student short films and enjoying the company of our amazing sponsors!

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

JJ: At SFSFF, we are looking for GOOD STORIES. We primarily focus on the story your short film tells, and how it could connect to a potential audience. We also search for films that are well edited, shot and produced. We are not sticklers on visual appeal in the sense of using big-budget cameras and equipment. In fact, we encourage the opposite! Resourcefulness is extremely important in this industry, (and beyond) and we love to see filmmakers make use of what they have. So if all you have is your phone to shoot, worry not and film on!

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

JJ: Absolutely. Although we have not experienced many film festivals in particular, we think it’s very possible some judges may penalize submissions based only on their visual appeal. We entirely understand the limitations tight or non-existed budgets may set, and feel strongly that films should not be judged on anything but the quality story it tells.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

JJ: We, the co-founders of SFSFF, are but high school students ourselves, and have a mutual passion for storytelling. We attempt to help young aspiring filmmakers like ourselves get jumpstarts on our careers, and the excitement of such a passion motivates us to drive on!

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

JJ: As we said previously, we are in our first year, and we are constantly developing and preparing for what we hope to be a successful and beneficial experience.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

JJ: By 2020, or even sooner, we hope to be known and recongnized near and far as a beneficial event that attendees enjoy and look forward to.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

JJ: Probably Forrest Gump, or The Lion King.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

JJ: Great films make you feel something.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

JJ: South Florida is home to a few big independent film festivals: including the Palm Beach & Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festivals (PBIFF and FLIFF). We only dream to be as successful as them, and greatly appreciate all they’ve done to help us in our passionate pursuits!

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Eric Quander (Joshua Tree International Film Festival)

June 21, 2016 festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, FilmFreeway Review, Interview, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized Eric Quander, festival director, festival interview, film festival review, film reviews, Joshua Tree International Film Festival, matthew toffolo wildsound

The 2016 Joshua Tree International Film Festival’s mission is to provide a platform for independent and noteworthy films and filmmakers to connect with industry professionals and the diverse audience that recognizes Joshua Tree as an oasis of creativity, art and culture throughout the international arts community. With special focus and support for projects that encompass the diverse vision of the urban and LBGTQ communities and bring to light the perspectives of indigenous cultures from around the world, we hope to cast the widest possible net to grow future generations of filmmakers and movie goers in Joshua Tree and beyond.

http://www.jtiff.org/

Interview with Eric Quander:

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Eric Quander: The Joshua Tree International Film Festival offers filmmakers the opportunity to exhibit their work before an enthusiastic, curious and intelligent audience, in a community known for its creativity and mystic surroundings.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

EQ: The theme for this year’s festival in “SACRED SPACE”, and will feature an eclectic mix of features and shorts that exhibit filmmakers and characters exploring their relationship to both their inner and exterior spaces.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

EQ: Submitted films are screened by a panel of judges, who are committed to the vision of the JTIFF. Films are distributed and are based on a set of criteria which are scored 1 (the lowest) to 10 (the highest). Films with the highest cumulative scores are submitted to the Programming Committee who make final determinations based on the festival’s theme and anticipated level of audience interest.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

EQ: I can’t really speak for other festivals, but JTIFF screeners and judges are trusted to view each submission with an open mind. We received over 100 submissions to this year’s festival, and undoubtedly among them, there were more than a few that simply don’t meet the standard of the type of films we want to screen before an audience. We don’t force screeners and judges to endure an obviously amateurish work, or those that lie far beyond the theme.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

EQ: Our inaugural event last years was motivated by a challenge as to if a film festival in our community could attract an audience, in that we succeeded; however, admittedly, neither my staff or myself were not prepared for the technical difficulties that we experienced, which really threw the entire schedule off. We learned a lot from that experience, and this year, we are motivated to produce as professional event as possible. We have ½ as many films, a trained volunteer staff and venues that make it easier for attendees to see more films.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

EQ: The JTIFF is much more organized this year. We have taken the time to really coordinate our efforts with venue owners, and we all recognize that he festival is a community effort, that will benefit all. We have been able to educate ourselves on how a festival should go, how to make seeing films easy for attendees and how to prepare technically, to ensure that every film on the schedule is screened. We’re proud of the work we have done, and know that returning attendees will see a big difference, while first time attendees will enjoy the experience.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

EQ: That will be our 6th festival, and honestly, I have no idea how the JTIFF will change in the intervening years. I do know that we will be around; between now and then, I would mid engaging in building a permanent space for the JTIFF, that shows films monthly. In the meantime, we will aim to exhibit independent films that challenge audiences, encourage introspection, and stimulate audiences to contribute to the positive growth of the local and global community.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

EQ: Night of the Living Dead (b&w version)

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

EQ: A great film’s main character stimulates its viewer(s) to consider their life and environment.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

EQ: Although there are a few sporadic screening throughout the year, the JTIFF is our community’s main platform to see independent films in the hi-desert.

Interview with Bill Hass, Programming Director (Fort Worth Indie Film Festival)

June 21, 2016June 21, 2016 festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, matthew toffolo wildsound, Uncategorized Bill Haas, festival director, festival interview, festival reviews, film festival review, Fort Worth Indie Film Festival, FWIFS, interview, Matthias Schoenaerts

The goal of the FWIFS is to promote grassroots collaboration between and among filmmakers. They want to call attention to the quality work produced within the independent film movement. They want to do their part to provide a platform for independent artists to share their work and unique voices; to network and gain encouragement from their peers.

Website: http://fwindiefilm.com/

Interview with the Festival’s Programming Director Bill Hass:

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Bill Haas: We are just three years old so we are still growing and discovering our persona. We’re seeing that we are becoming successful at relationship building. We work really hard to create an environment of collaboration versus competition. We are structured so that everything is physically close. This provides opportunity for filmmakers to see each other’s films and network. We are also building strong relationships with other festival directors who attend FWIFS. The filmmakers have opportunity to meet those directors and learn about other festivals to which they can successfully submit. For filmmakers that are actually from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, we’re providing a platform for them to show their work to family and friends in a festive environment. We’re still growing, but I can see that in the years to come, one of the key things that we will be successful at is building bridges. Establishing relationships with filmmakers, helping them grow their audience in the Fort Worth area and helping new and young filmmakers establish relationships with other filmmakers and festivals so they can continue to grow in their craft.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

BH: If you attend the festival this year you can expect to have a complete independent film experience. We have quality films from around the world. A lot of the filmmakers will be in attendance, so you will get to meet and talk to the people who are creating the art. As a filmmaker, if you attend, you can expect a highly positive experience. All filmmakers will be celebrated for their work and treated like the professional artists they are.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

BH: A strong story. Whether it is a documentary or a narrative, the story needs to be interesting. We look for good writing, plausible concepts and a strong production value relative to the budget. Beyond that, we like to see good acting that results in characters that we believe an care about. Basically, we want to see a respect for the craft for filmmaking. If the person that made the film has a love for the craft, that will show; and the film made with respect for the craft is a strong candidate for acceptance to the festival.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

BH: I see this topic come up in some form or fashion quite a bit. I honestly believe that all legitimate festivals fully consider every film submitted. Ultimately though, I can only speak for myself. We have a diverse screening committee that watches all of the submitted films. I don’t vote and I don’t speak to the committee about the films so as not to influence them with my biases. When making decisions regarding which films will be accepted, I lean heavily on their assessments. Beyond that, there are films I had a negative opinion of based on the synopsis. But then I watched the film and the story and production value turned me around, and we accepted the film. I honestly thing that all legitimate festivals fully consider every submitted film; I know for a fact that we do.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

BH: We’re filmmakers ourselves. We know how difficult it is to get a low budget independent film in front of an audience. We want to do what we can to help other filmmakers connect with an audience and grow in the craft. That being said, this festival is not about us. We hardly ever show our own films, and if we do, we’re not eligible for awards.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

BH: We’ve not really changed a lot since our inception. Our target is the true independent low budget filmmaker. We want to show the films produced by the teams that are telling quality stories with little to no budget. That is where we started and that is where we plan to stay. We have grown. We have two screens this year so we’re showing twice as many films. Aside from that, we’re the same festival that we were in year one. Next year, we’re planning to add a screenplay competition.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

BH: By 2020 we’ll be seven years old. By then we should be in a position to add at least one more day to the festival, or another screen (or both). We may be in a position to increase the value of our awards and possibly provide some level of assistance or sponsorship to student filmmakers.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

BH: The Five Heartbeats.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

BH: A great story makes a great film.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

BH: The film scene in Fort Worth is getting better. We have a new film commission and the film community is really excited about that. We’re looking forward to more opportunities developing at all levels over the next several years.

Interview with Festival Director Todd Looby (BendFilm Festival)

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Uncategorized BendFilm Festival, festival director, festival interview, festival reviews, film festival review, film reviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Todd Looby

A near-constant fixture of MovieMaker magazine’s 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, BendFilm celebrates independent films and the risky, passionate, tough and talented people who make them. This year’s festival runs from Thursday, Oct. 6 – Sunday, Oct. 9, with most venues located in Bend’s historic downtown in Oregon and the nearby Old Mill District.

Website: http://bendfilm.org/

Interview with Festival Director Todd Looby

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Todd Looby: BendFilm is committed to considering each film that comes in our door fairly. We want to champion the work of independent filmmakers who deserve more attention – whether we premiere ‘discoveries’ or present the work of established filmmakers whose work is under-appreciated by commercial audiences. We fundraise to pay travel expenses for our feature filmmakers and provide free lodging for all of our filmmakers. Last, but definitely not least, we award up to $8,500 in cash awards including $5,000 for the “Best of Show” as well as a $60,000 camera package from Panavision.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

TL: We received a great grant from the Roundhouse Foundation to host at least 5 female filmmakers and their films. We want to be a force to overcome the vast gender disparity in filmmaking. A huge part of that is introducing and championing accomplished work to our audience. Though our programming process is still in an early stage, we have an incredibly promising crop of films to present to our audience. We are lining up intriguing panels, one of which will hopefully be our 3rd straight Film Fatales panel. Finally, we have commitments from some of Bend’s best venues to host what we think will be our best parties yet where our filmmakers and audience will continue make lasting bonds.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

TL: Selected films for the majority of our slots will not already have screened in the region, not yet have wide distribution and must be solidly independent.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

TL: I can’t speak for other festivals, but it is something I felt as a filmmaker myself. Our Programmer Erik Jambor and our programming team make an extraordinary effort to give everyone a fair shake by watching each submitted film at least twice. Every film that we accept or have to reject will be fairly vetted and include input from our loyal and talented screening committee.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

TL: I fell in love with the film festival experience as an aspiring filmmaker attending the Chicago International Film Festival. That love was solidified when I presented my first film festival at the Iowa Independent Film Festival. Since those early years, I’ve screened at dozens of festivals and they all reinforced the importance of the festival world in building filmmaking careers. We want to make discoveries to champion the work of filmmakers that should be doing this for a living. And, perhaps most importantly, connect those filmmakers with such a generous, critical and appreciative audience that we have here in Bend.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

TL: Our festival was great since its inception in 2004. For many years it was a “best kept secret” festival to the independent filmmaking community. Now we have 3-4 times the amount of submissions than we did just 3 years ago, so it is catching on quickly. With our community’s incredible support and enthusiasm for our programs we’ve added many year-round screenings and education programs that meet our community’s demand for greater access to films while at the same time foster more filmmaking from aspiring filmmakers.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

TL: That’s hard to quantify, but what the Board, Erik and I really want to do is make BendFilm a “must-stop” on the festival circuit. By 2020, we want to parlay our commitment to discovery to gain filmmakers the distribution and larger audiences that they deserve.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

TL: It’s probably a tie between “Midnight Run”, “Dances with Wolves” and “Blues Brothers”. The first 2 stem from the late 80s when I was a teen with a lot of time discovering the magic of film at the same time we first got cable at home. Those films still resonate with me, though I haven’t seem them in years. “Blues Brothers” was one of the first films I saw in the theaters at the age of 5. Growing up in Chicago, it was a mainstay on all of our TVs and VCRs. I think each of those films holds up so well and serve as the standard-bearers in their respective genres.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

TL: To me, as someone who’s made (or attempted to make) 3 narrative films for under $10,000, I love films that overachieve their budgets and transcend what the script may look like on paper. That “litmus test” can be applied to films working on every level – from independent to Hollywood or Academy-nominated films. 3 films that come to mind in recent years are Eric Steele’s “Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self”, Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separartion” and Ruben Ostlund’s “Force Majeure”.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

TL: Almost every week I get emails from filmmakers that are new in Bend or are seeking to move here. We already have solid production companies doing great work and a lot of talented filmmakers living here, but mostly working outside of Oregon. With the support of the Oregon Film Office and the newly formed “Central Oregon Film Office”, we hope to see a better utilization of that talent and more narrative and documentary work produced right here.

Interview with Stunt Performer Hannah D. Scott

June 20, 2016 festreviews Uncategorized

Matthew Toffolo's Summary

I really enjoyed chatting with Stunt Performer/Actor Hannah D. Scott about her profession. She was very open about everything and you can feel her passion for the industry and what she does in her answers. Enjoy!

Matthew Toffolo: What job has been your most valuable experience?

Hannah D. Scott: I think that part of the answer lies in not actually working, but watching people work. The set is such a massive machine and being able to take a step back to listen and learn is priceless. I was once asked, a long time ago, to step in as kind of intern of sorts. Understanding the camera, understanding how the director communicates with actors in order to get the right result, what cues to give to help them understand and so on was incredibly valuable. I could see how different lenses worked, how framing could make or break a shot, how…

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Interview with Set Decorator Lori Mazuer (The Mindy Project, Popstar)

June 20, 2016 festreviews Uncategorized

Matthew Toffolo's Summary

Lori Mazuer is a pure talent. She has worked in the Art Department on over 50 productions in the last 20 years, including her recent stint as the lead Set Decorator for the hit TV show “The Mindy Project”. She was also the Set Decorator for the 2016 hit movie “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”, starring Andy Samberg. Lori also has worked on many horror films, including The Lord of Salem, Halloween I and II, and Insidious: Chapter 2 & 3. It was an honor interviewer her. Enjoy!

mindy_project Matthew Toffolo: How is “The Mindy Project” experience? What is your typical work week setting up an episode?

Lori Mazuer: The Mindy Project has been an incredible experience. We are headed into Season 5 soon which will be my 3rd season with the Mindy team. Our main goal is to make Mindy’s world come to life, every week with a very ambitious…

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PRESS RELEASE: Free Toronto Film Festival Event. Thur. June 30th, 7pm Carlton Cinemas

June 20, 2016 festreviews Uncategorized

WILDsound Festival

Sixth event of 2016 (Best of Short Films from around the world): RSVP your FEEDBACK Toronto Film Festival seats. FREE or make a donation to the festival. Anyone can come for FREE as we love to have you.

Thursday June 30th event. 7pm to 9pm, Carlton Cinemas, 20 Carlton Street.

RSVP your seats now for the event. Plus, see full details of every film being played. Discover the best of NEW short films from around the world:

http://www.wildsound.ca/torontofilmfestivals.html

We have a terrific lineup of films for our sixth event of 2016. Amazing short films from Israel, Canada, UK, and USA. Guarantee a great time.

This month’s festival has a theme of TWISTS. Every film is going to surprise you. This could be our best festival yet! You’re going to love the films.

Giving you films from all corners of the world in different genres and formats.

CLICK here and watch…

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DEADLINE Today: SHORT Screenplay Contest Festival. SAVE $10

June 20, 2016 festreviews Uncategorized

WILDsound Festival

DEADLINE Today: SHORT Screenplay Contest Festival.SAVE $10 – FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed at festival (winner every month)
http://www.wildsound.ca/shortscriptcontest.html

Watch Recent Winning Short Screenplay Readings:
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/short_script_readings.html

Read Recent Testimonials about the Short Screenplay Festival:
https://festivalreviews.org/short-screenplay-submission-testimonials-from-wildsound-screenplay-festival/

– Get FULL FEEDBACK on your script. Winners get their script performed by professional actors at the Writing Festival!

Watch Recent Short Screenplay Winners:

Read recent testimonials:

Thanks so much for the great feedback. I will closely review the notes and when the next draft is done I’ll resubmit.
– Fernando Noor
Under-Terrestrial, Short Script

Thanks again! I have learned quite a bit from the feedback.
– David Brichetto
The Girl Who Cried Wolf, Short Script

Thank you! I find your comments extremely helpful and I look forward to a re-write and resubmission.
– Taylor Albertson
29.0, Short Screenplay

Thank you for the feedback – it is very detailed and useful. This will be something…

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Today’s NEWS: Monday June 20, 2016 (Best of Anton Yelchin photos)

June 20, 2016 festreviews todays news, Uncategorized ANton Yelchin dies at 27, Beln affleck live by night, Monday June 20 2016, todays news

Read the best of Entertainment NEWS for Monday June 20, 2016.

Anton Yelchin, Actor in ‘Star Trek’ Reboots, Dies at 27

‘Finding Dory’ Drowns Animated Box Office Records With $136 Million Opening

J.J. Abrams Mourns ‘Star Trek’ Actor Anton Yelchin: ‘You Were Brilliant’

Warner Bros. Moves Up Ben Affleck’s ‘Live By Night,’ Will It Be An Oscar Contender?

‘Game of Thrones’: Everything That’s Led Up to the ‘Battle of the Bastards’

Anton Yelchin TOP PHOTOS

TSD-15444 ANTON YELCHIN as Kyle Reese in Warner Bros. PicturesÕ action/sci-fi feature ÒTerminator Salvation,Ó a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The film stars Christian Bale and Sam Worthington. PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE USED SOLELY FOR ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, PUBLICITY OR REVIEWS OF THIS SPECIFIC MOTION PICTURE AND TO REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE STUDIO. NOT FOR SALE OR REDISTRIBUTION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.